Chapter 167. Purple Sun Treasure-Tempering Art
The Peak Master Hall was located on the western side of Fangcun Sect, connected by winding avenues and covered corridors.
The area around it was filled with jagged rocks, towering ancient trees, and strange flowers and exotic herbs everywhere. It was truly a land blessed with spiritual beauty.
The gatekeeping disciple clearly understood why they had co and led the group straight into the rear hall.
What ca into view was a wide open space. Beside it stood an ancient tree with twisted, interwoven branches and bark ridged like bulging veins, its roots sunk deep into the courtyard.
After that, they passed through a long, narrow corridor and arrived at the rear courtyard. The air was filled with the rich scent of aloeswood incense, soft and lingering.
There, beneath a pavilion ahead of them, sat an old man on a prayer cushion. His hair was white, yet his face retained a youthful glow, and he carried the bearing of an immortal sage as he rested with his eyes closed.
This man was the Peak Master of Ziqing Peak, Lan Xiyuan.
The group stepped forward respectfully and said, “Greetings, Peak Master.”
Lan Xiyuan slowly opened his eyes. They were nothing like the cloudy eyes of an ordinary old man. Instead, restrained brilliance glead within them.
He opened the introduction docunt a disciple had brought him and swept his gaze over the group before finally letting it settle on Xu Yuan. “According to Elder Ma, you reached the Extraordinary ridians realm in less than two years after beginning martial practice?”
Xu Yuan nodded.
A look of approval appeared in Lan Xiyuan’s eyes. “Not bad.”
Then he continued reading. Suddenly, he frowned and looked up. “The martial art all of you cultivated in the past was that Shangyang Residence thing… the Jade Platform Stance Art?”
Yan Wuguan and the others had no idea why he was asking, but they could only answer in the affirmative.
Lan Xiyuan imdiately revealed a disappointed expression.
With his eyesight, along with their identities, he only needed a mont’s thought to know that this kind of stance art was a thod that squeezed out one’s potential.
Even if it allowed rapid progress in the early stages, there was no telling when it might cause soone to hit a wall later and leave them unable to advance for the rest of their lives.
He glanced at Xu Yuan, feeling considerable regret. This young man’s natural talent should have been quite outstanding, but he had been held back by the side effects of that stance art.
At that thought, Lan Xiyuan’s expression cooled a little. He said to the disciple beside him, “Go and call Xu Xiuju over.”
“Yes.” The disciple nodded and quickly turned to leave.
Not long afterward, a woman strode over. She was as tall and sturdy as an iron tower, with wheat-colored skin, broad shoulders, and a powerful fra.
“This disciple, Xu Xiuju, greets the Peak Master.” Her voice rang like a bell, forming a sharp contrast to the delicacy of her na.
“These are several newly admitted outer disciples of the peak.”
Lan Xiyuan introduced them lazily. “Take them to familiarize themselves with the sect rules, collect 《Purple Sun Treasure-Tempering Art》, and arrange living quarters for them.”
After saying that, he closed his eyes once more, as though he had already exhausted all his energy. He no longer showed the slightest interest in Xu Yuan and the others.
“Yes,” Xu Xiuju replied. Her gaze shifted to Xu Yuan’s group as she sized them up from head to toe. “Junior Brothers, co with .”
Xu Yuan gave Lan Xiyuan another respectful bow, then followed her out of that courtyard filled with the scent of aloeswood incense.
Only after leaving the courtyard did it feel as though breathing beca easier again.
As for the change in Lan Xiyuan’s attitude, Xu Yuan had seen it perfectly clearly.
It was nothing more than the man deciding that their cultivation art was poor, that it had left hidden injuries behind and damaged their potential, and that their future achievents would therefore be limited.
Xu Yuan especially stood out. He had gone from the one-ridian stage to the Extraordinary ridians realm in less than two years, so the damage to his potential was probably considered even worse.
Only…
‘I alone am the exception,’ Xu Yuan thought to himself.
Even if the stance art damaged one’s potential, his own potential was continuously stacking upward. This bit of harm was hardly worth ntioning.
Yan Wuguan, Cai Kun, and the others, however, were clearly not in such good spirits.
They had known that the Jade Platform Stance Art carried side effects, but they had never imagined they were this serious. It felt as though a mountain had suddenly been pressed onto their hearts, and they feared they might never reach the Organ Nourishnt realm.
Xu Xiuju took in everyone’s expressions at a glance, but her own mood did not change in the slightest.
Many people believed that once they entered Fangcun Sect, everything would be smooth sailing. That was completely wrong. The competition here was no less intense than it was outside—if anything, it was worse.
She turned and walked ahead, saying without looking back, “Our Ziqing Peak specializes in offensive and killing arts. Among the Five Peaks, it is known for being the sharpest and fiercest. The disciples under this peak cultivate 《Purple Sun Treasure-Tempering Art》.”
“The Peak Master spends most of the year in seclusion and rarely gives personal guidance to others in cultivation. Most disciples on the peak generally rely on their own comprehension, studying the classics, and the elders’ grand lecture held once every half month…”
“Of course, if you have enough money, you may also hire an elder for private instruction, though the fees are sowhat expensive.”
Self-study? Public lectures?
So this basically ans they mainly rely on self-study, with occasional public learning?
And on top of that, there are even tutors for extra lessons?
Xu Yuan’s expression turned strange. The sense of déjà vu here was rather strong.
“The residences for sect disciples are on the eastern side. You may rent a courtyard according to your own ans. The sect has properly trained maidservants and stewards available for service—as long as you have enough silver.”
Xu Xiuju led the five of them through building after building. “When you collect your cultivation art, you will also receive a handbook of the sect’s rules and prohibitions. You must morize it well. The consequences of violating the sect rules are severe.”
“Also, disciples below the Extraordinary ridians realm receive three Qi-Replenishing Pills on the first day of each month to aid cultivation. Those in the Extraordinary ridians realm receive five. Aside from that, all other expenses must be handled by yourselves.”
As she spoke, the group arrived before an independent little building with a plaque that read “Instruction Pavilion.”
Xu Xiuju gestured for them to wait, then went inside for a mont. When she ca back out, she was carrying several booklets and a wooden token engraved with the characters “Ziqing.”
“This is the 《Disciplinary Handbook》 and the introductory volu of 《Purple Sun Treasure-Tempering Art》. It is enough for you to cultivate up to the first stage of the Organ Nourishnt realm. But rember this well: this art is the foundation of the sect and must not be passed on to outsiders. Any violator will have their cultivation crippled and be expelled.”
Xu Xiuju handed the booklets and wooden token to them, her tone stern. “This wooden token is your proof of identity. With it, you may enter and leave all non-forbidden areas within the sect grounds, collect your pills, accept missions, and register for your residence at the steward office.”
As expected, there was basically no chance of directly receiving a complete cultivation art.
Xu Yuan shook his head inwardly, though he could understand it.
A heavy art of this level would be enough to make great clans fight over it if it were placed outside. It was only natural for Fangcun Sect to be cautious.
After that, Xu Xiuju briefly explained the key points of the introductory volu.
Xu Yuan and the others accepted the booklets and cupped their hands. “Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. We understand.”
Xu Xiuju nodded. “There is no need to be so polite. Cultivation on Ziqing Peak values self-discipline above all else. My master often says that the martial path is like rowing against the current: if you do not advance, you retreat. I hope all of you Junior Brothers will encourage one another.”
Her words stopped exactly there, carrying a detached calm. Clearly, she had little interest in paying extra attention to or giving further guidance to newly arrived disciples.
“If there is nothing else, then go settle yourselves.”
After Xu Xiuju left, Yan Wuguan was the first to speak. “Since we are on the sa side, now that we have arrived at Fangcun Sect, we should support one another.”
Cai Kun nodded. “That’s what I was thinking too. When we go on missions in the future, we can team up.”
The remaining two eight-ridian martial artists said nothing. Instead, they simply looked at Xu Yuan expectantly.
Xu Yuan ignored them. He was staring at several figures in the distance with a frown.
Those people had been standing beside the Instruction Pavilion for quite a while, as though they had been deliberately watching this side.
Only after so more ti passed did the group finally walk away.
Xu Yuan turned back and exchanged a few casual words with the others.
After that, they went to the steward office to register and spent so silver notes to rent courtyards for themselves, each one not far from the others.
In truth, after spending so many years in the Shangyang Residence, all of them had fairly substantial savings, even if the expenses here were also much higher.
As for maidservants and stewards, Xu Yuan did not hire any.
The courtyard was not large, but though small, it had everything it needed. There were two main rooms, along with a specially built quiet chamber.
At the center of the quiet chamber sat a prayer cushion, while all four walls had been forged from special iron. Candles flickered on the wall niches, shutting out the sounds of the outside world.
Xu Yuan carefully checked whether the prayer cushion was new and confird that the rest of the furnishings were all in proper order. Only then did he prepare to sit down, take out 《Purple Sun Treasure-Tempering Art》, and begin reading.
Knock. Knock.
Unexpectedly, at that mont, a knock sounded at the door.
When he opened it, he found a thin disciple standing outside. The man glanced inside, then asked with a smiling face,
“Hello, my na is Zhao Xu. May I ask where this new Junior Brother has co from?”
…
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